NIH-funded research R01 grant

Exploring how microbes affect pancreatic cancer and its spread

Official title: Interrogating the Spatial and Functional Relevance of Microbes in Pancreatic Cancer and Metastasis

Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10990419 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how tiny germs in the body might affect the growth of pancreatic cancer and its spread to the liver, helping us understand how they interact with cancer cells and the immune system.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$537,985
NIH project number1R01CA282786-01A1
Project IDNIH-10990419 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those with metastatic disease.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those with other types of cancer unrelated to pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of microbes in pancreatic cancer, particularly how they influence tumor growth and metastasis to the liver. By examining the spatial distribution and functionality of these microbes within tumors, the study aims to understand their impact on cancer progression. The researchers will utilize advanced imaging techniques and sequencing methods to analyze microbial presence at both regional and single-cell levels. This approach could reveal critical insights into how microbes interact with cancer cells and the immune system.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating pancreatic cancer by targeting microbial influences on tumor behavior.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of microbes in cancer, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
    Houston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mcallister, Florencia — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
  • Study coordinator: Mcallister, Florencia

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Camk2b loss fuels pancreatic cancer spread and immune suppression

    A new NIH grant seeks to understand why losing CAMK2B in pancreatic cancer makes the cancer spread more and suppresses immune responses, using advanced mouse models.

    NIH research Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · Worcester, United States · NIH-11448883

  • Cystine-limited stress and pancreatic cancer growth and spread

    Aims to understand how pancreatic cancer cells survive when the nutrient cystine is scarce and to find weak spots that could be targeted to slow or stop tumor growth and spread.

    NIH research Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · Hershey, United States · NIH-11445541

  • Anti-MUC16 antibody combo to fight metastatic pancreatic cancer

    A new antibody-based treatment added to standard chemotherapy is being tested to slow or stop the spread of pancreatic cancer in preclinical models.

    NIH research Sanguine Diagnostics and Therapeutics · Omaha, United States · NIH-11408229

  • Understanding what drives metastasis in pancreatic cancer

    A researcher at a top cancer center is studying why pancreatic cancer spreads, aiming to identify key factors that could be targeted to stop metastasis.

    NIH research University of Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11377200

  • Microbes in pancreatic cancer: where they live and how they affect spread

    This research studies how bacteria inside pancreatic tumors and liver metastases might influence cancer growth and spread, with goals that could lead to new ways to treat or manage pancreatic cancer.

    NIH research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · Houston, United States · NIH-11373091

  • RHAMM B and pancreatic cancer spread

    Researchers are studying RHAMM B to understand how pancreatic cancer spreads and to find new ways to stop it.

    NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-11369170

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.